SCANNING PROBE MICROSCOPY OF POLYMER SURFACES

Basic principles and recent results of scanning probe microscopy (SPM) studies of polymer surfaces are reviewed. Applicability of various SP M techniques-including contact, dynamic, force modulation, friction fo rce, chemical force, electrostatic, adhesion, and thermal modes-to pro bing of polymer surfaces is illustrated. Examples of recent studies of surface morphology and properties of various polymers are presented a nd briefly discussed. An extensive bibliography of more than 200 refer ences is included. Classes of polymers considered here are: crystallin e and amorphous, composites and blends, fibers and deformed polymers, block polymers and latexes, rubbers and liquid crystalline polymers, t hin films and ionomers. Current focuses and future trends are summariz ed including quantitative SPM measurements, probing of nano-and micros cale mechanical properties, studying dynamical surface properties, and exploring local chemical interactions.